There is a great alternative for the environment when looking for a new hardwood floor, this is bamboo.
Hardwood is not very good for the environment as it is taken from forests. Even if the trees in these forests are being replanted it will take from fifteen to twenty five years before another one can take its place to be used for more hardwood. Bamboo is a fast growing plant which comes for the grass family. It only takes three to five years for bamboo to regenerate, this is due to the roots never being removed when it is harvested. Harvesting bamboo also doesn’t cause soil erosion due to its strong root structure and the fact that the same plant keeps producing time and time again. Erosion is a big problem in areas where vegetation is disturbed.
When choosing bamboo for your flooring there are many different looks you can choose from for your new floor. There are types of bamboo flooring which look exactly like hardwood, this is the strand woven bamboo floor. This type of flooring can be dyed any color, giving your new bamboo floor the look of any type of hardwood your prefer.
Many times when looking at a good choice for your eco friendly house we make the sacrifice of paying more. This is actually the opposite case with bamboo flooring. When talking of the raw materials the cost of bamboo can be as much as half the cost of hardwood. The prices of installation are similar for both hardwood and bamboo. Bamboo flooring is also tougher than many hardwood planks. On the Janka hardness scale bamboo is harder than oak, cherry and maple.
Many local flooring suppliers now carry bamboo and you can also find a wide selection online. Now, going green is no sacrifice when it comes to the cost of a new floor.
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